In the 51st minute of Saturday’s Bundesliga clash between Werder Bremen and Borussia Dortmund, a controversial moment has sparked widespread discussion. The incident, involving Dortmund defender Ramy Bensebaini, was addressed by the German Football Association (DFB) shortly after the match. The DFB confirmed that the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) team made a mistake in judging Bensebaini’s position as inconsequential to the play.
Bensebaini’s Impact on Friedl’s Decision
The incident occurred when Bensebaini jumped over the ball, a movement that directly affected Werder Bremen’s captain, Marco Friedl, as he attempted to clear the ball. Although Bensebaini did not make contact with the ball, his positioning created a situation where Friedl’s actions were significantly influenced. According to DFB spokesperson Alexander Feuerherdt, the VAR team should have informed referee Felix Zwayer about this interference. Feuerherdt acknowledged that Bensebaini’s position should have been considered offside, as it played a crucial role in Friedl’s delayed reaction to the ball.
“We’ll say that this is an offside position that matters because Friedl is so strongly influenced by Bensebaini,” Feuerherdt stated during an interview with Sky Germany. He further explained that Friedl could only react to the ball after Bensebaini lifted his leg, which should have led to the goal being ruled out.
Players’ Reactions to the Decision
Following the match, Bremen’s Leonardo Bittencourt weighed in on the incident. While acknowledging the controversy, Bittencourt expressed understanding for the decision, despite admitting that he hadn’t thoroughly reviewed the situation. “It’s often said: when in doubt, rule in favour of the attacker,” Bittencourt said. He emphasized that the game was about seeing goals but also acknowledged that better defending was needed. Reflecting on the decision, he noted that sometimes decisions go in a team’s favor, and other times, like in this instance, they don’t.
Ultimately, the decision raised questions about the consistency of VAR rulings, with both teams left to process the aftermath of the controversial moment.
